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Buffalo Bills Make Splash with Trade That Lands Sammy Watkins with No. 4 Pick, Stevie Johnson’s Future May Be in Jeopardy

May 8th, 2014 at 11:49 PM By Anthony Custode Jr

After immense speculation that the Buffalo Bills would trade up in the NFL draft, the Bills proved the rumors to be true, striking a deal with the Cleveland Browns and ultimately selecting wide receiver Sammy Watkins from Clemson.

The Bills were rumored to have their eye on Watkins throughout the process, but what made their selection interesting was the fact that standout University at Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack was still on the board when the Bills made their selection. Mack is considered by some to be the best player in the draft, and many expected the Bills to select him if he was available when they were on the clock. When the Bills landed the No. 4 pick, it wasn't overwhelmingly clear which direction they were planning to go until the pick was made.

Obviously the Bills are comfortable enough with their defense, especially at the linebacker position. They landed Brandon Spikes, though he's currently under a one-year contract. Buffalo also has Manny Lawson, Jerry Hughes and Kiko Alonso, all of which produced nicely for Buffalo last season. The Bills clearly felt they needed to address their offense, and that the explosive Watkins was their man.

In order to land Watkins, the Bills gave Cleveland their No. 9 pick this season and their first and fourth round picks next season. The fact that the Bills gave up so much to land Watkins leads to the obvious question of Stevie Johnson's future with Buffalo. Johnson is currently Buffalo's No. 1 receiver, but the Bills loaded up at receiver last season, selecting Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin. Rumors began swirling just before the draft began that Johnson would become expendable if the Bills took a receiver in the first round, which they did.